Apparel Merchandiser Coordinator (10-month contract)

August 28, 2024

Columbia Sportswear Company

Genève

OTHER

Reports to: Merchandising Director

Fixed-term contract (10 months)

EMEA HQ, Geneva, Switzerland

‍ Hybrid mode (2 days/week home-office)

Start date: at the earliest convenience

OUTGROWN YOUR OWN BACKYARD? COME PLAY IN OURS.

At Columbia Sportswear, we’re as passionate about the outdoors as you are. And while our gear is available worldwide, we’re proud to be based in the Pacific Northwest, where natural wonders are our playground.

Every product we make and every task we undertake is inspired by the famous words of our founder Gert Boyle: “It’s perfect. Now make it better.” As pioneers of relentless improvement, we are constantly evolving

Discover a world of diversity within our team of 700+ across 13 European countries, united by the common goal of elevating Columbia to the pinnacle of outdoor brands in Europe. Our omnichannel approach seamlessly integrates Columbia and Sorel brands' engaging in-store and online experiences.

Nestled at the heart of the Alps in Geneva, Switzerland, our European headquarters hosts the Executive Committee, go-to-market functions, and Planning and Logistics teams. In Schiltigheim, near Strasbourg, our shared services center thrives with over 100 professionals managing Finance and Operations/Customer Service. Our distribution center in Cambrai ensures swift delivery to customers, while our 30+ Columbia stores adorn major European outlet centers. Finally, the Sales and Trade Marketing teams are displayed in 3 regions across Europe, close to their customers and markets.

We believe the outdoors is ours to protect and strive to keep our planet healthy. We believe in empowering people to experience the outdoors to the fullest.

And we believe in you.

ABOUT THE TEAM

Located in our EMEA headquarters in Geneva (Switzerland), the Apparel Merchandising department is responsible, for each season, to select the product range of Columbia brand that will be available at our partners’ stores and platforms in Europe.

The team is composed by 3 Merchandisers taking care of the main categories (Women, Men, Kids & Accessories) and supported by 2 Coordinators. The department is headed by the Merchandising Director Europe.

Our Apparel Merchandising team plays a pivotal role in curating the Columbia brand experience across Europe, ensuring that every product in our range resonates with our customers' quest for the outdoors.

ABOUT THE POSITION

We are looking for a talented Merchandising Coordinator to join our team on a 10-month contract, filling in for a current team member. In this role, you will be essential in supporting our Merchandisers throughout the product ranging process, ensuring data accuracy and facilitating smooth cross-functional communication across Europe and Portland, USA.

Your responsibilities will include managing data entry and maintaining the Product Development Management (PDM) system, keeping assortment plans accurate, and identifying trends and gaps in our product offerings. You will turn market data into actionable insights to drive our merchandising strategies forward.

HOW YOU’LL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

In this role, you will focus on three key areas:

Support the Ranging Process: Ensure every selected product is correctly entered into the system, define deadlines, manage and track samples, organize the showroom, and update Excel databases.
Oversee Go-to-Range (GTR) Processes & Tools: Update and track line lists and price lists, coordinate with Operations in Portland, and be the primary contact for any EU stakeholders needing merchandising data for analytics.
Lead the Special Make-Up (SMU) Range: Manage sales briefs to the product team, monitor margins to ensure they meet targets, maintain the SMU tracker, and organize post-mortem presentations each season.

Additionally, you’ll be our go-to person for data-crunching analyses, turning findings from various internal and external databases into business recommendations. These insights will empower our merchandisers to make data-driven decisions that enhance the range-building process.

YOU ARE

Passionate about outdoor and sports activities
Fluent in English
Someone who ensures accuracy in every aspect of a process, and demonstrates structure, rigor as well as a keen attention to detail
At ease working with numbers, and managing raw data, and you can demonstrate strong analytical abilities
A strong communicator and very good at building trusty relationships with your partners
A team player and enjoy playing your part in achieving common goals

YOU HAVE

Completed your degree/diploma in business, supply chain or any other related field
A first successful experience in a corporate environment, preferably in buying, operations, planning, or similar roles
A business analytics mindset that translates data into actionable business recommendations
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Advanced knowledge of Excel to create spreadsheets, charts, and key functions (Pivot tables, Vlookup, Sumifs, …). Knowledge of Power BI is an asset
A growth mindset: you are curious and want to learn as much as possible!

PERKS & BENEFITS

Significant discounts on Columbia and Sorel products

Soft mobility policy (Geneva office only)

️ Health insurance allowance for employees in Switzerland
️ Pilates and yoga classes on our premises, and running groups or sports activities

Unlimited access to Linked In Learning

A monthly Learning Hour for training, discovery and learning

‍ Unlock your potential: access to in-house training courses (feedback, leadership, Insights®...)

DEI initiatives to exchange and strengthen our involvement around these themes

ABOUT THE CULTURE

At Columbia Sportswear, we value an inclusive and open culture that emphasizes the absence of barriers between team members. We are committed to fostering a sense of belonging by encouraging personal connections at all levels, which creates a cohesive and supportive work environment.
Team members serve as ambassadors for our brand, finding motivation in being part of an organization dedicated to activities they are passionate about. This dedication reflects our commitment to building a team that takes pride in our products and values.
We offer the opportunity to work for a US-based company within a multicultural environment, where your job has an impact across different countries.
Our "Always Be Learning" culture of continuous learning enables our employees to identify and develop skills that will enable them to continue to grow within the company.
"Unlock Your Potential" is the spirit that characterizes our vision of employees' development: to offer them opportunities to grow, in their job, in their team or even to change jobs completely. We grow our people to grow our business.

To learn more about us and our culture, visit our page on Welcome To The Jungle:

https://bit.ly/49bl1i5

ABOUT THE HIRING PROCESS

1️⃣ Ready to unlock your potential at Columbia Sportswear Company? Apply now to help us connect active people with their passion! The hiring team will review your application in the following weeks.

2️⃣ If your application is selected: a 30-45mn introductory interview with our Talent Acquisition Team to talk about yourself, your motivations and the role

3️⃣ Interview with the hiring manager + technical assignment (live)

4️⃣ Interview with the main stakeholders and HR

5️⃣ Your unique strengths align perfectly with our team: we are thrilled to extend you an offer!

#LI-LA1

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company.

If you need an accommodation/adjustment to successfully complete and submit your application, please reach out to

Ask HR@columbia.com

with the Subject: Applicant Assistance Requested.

We regret to inform you that this job opportunity is no longer available